DEFENDING LIFE: SERIES 2 (1997)

Some people think it doesn't happen. Others say it is a standard aspect of
"health care." Still others call it barbarism--

What is a "partial-birth abortion?"

This interview with Brenda Pratt Shafer, RN, who witnessed three of these
procedures,will show you what it is. With the use of medically accurate diagrams and
the instruments that are actually used, Brenda leads us through the steps of
this act by which a child is delivered, all but the head, and then killed by the
insertion of scissors into the head.

Learn, furthermore, about our nation's current policy on abortion (legal
through all nine months) and hear Brenda discuss the question so many have: What
happens to the bodies?

The Reality of Partial Birth Abortion: Part Two

Why would anyone want to allow a baby to be partially delivered and then
killed with scissors? Are "partial-birth abortions" only done for severe cases
that threaten the life of the mother? Why did Brenda Pratt Shafer, who was once
in favor of keeping abortion legal, change her mind after witnessing the
procedure? Find the answers to these and other urgent questions in this stirring
interview of the nurse who worked for Martin Haskell and now tells the world
what she saw.

Rachel Mourns: Part One: Post-Abortion Healing

To oppose abortion does not mean to oppose those who have one. As Vicki
Thorn, founder of Project Rachel, explains, the Church called for a pastoral
effort of healing women from the wounds of abortion long before most people knew
what those wounds are. Now, through Project Rachel and the National Office of
Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing, Vicki and many others reach out to
mothers, fathers, and other relatives of aborted babies, and let them know that
the doors of the Church are open: forgiveness and healing are available. In this
interview, learn more about the wounds abortion inflicts, how the church
responds, and what books are available to give you more information. And
remember the national hotline for post-abortion counseling: 1-800-5-WE-CARE.

Rachel Mourns: Part Two! "Generation X"

Those born from approximately 1961 to 1981 have been referred to as
"Generation X." They face special challenges and have particular wounds. Vicky
Thorn, Director of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and
Healing, shares some insights about this generation. She discusses, among other
things, that they are the survivors of abortion, and explains how a phenomenon
known as survivor's syndrome can manifest itself.

What is the solution to the needs of this generation? They need unconditional
love, and the Church must be a witness to that love more powerfully than ever
before!

RU-486

Some call it the "abortion pill." Yet, as Fr. Frank Pavone describes in this
show, that is far too simple a description of RU-486. This drug is a powerful
synthetic steroid which may prove to be a chemical time bomb. A 1986 New
Republic article said that the whole first generation of those who use the
drug will be guinea pigs. The president of the company that manufactured it
said, "It is an appalling psychological ordeal...it is not at all easy to use."

The RU-486 technique actually involves a combination of drugs, and a several
step process which is not as private as abortion promoters want us to think.
Find out what you should know and what you can do about this threat to human
life.

Euthanasia - Part I

Euthanasia is not a future problem; it is a present problem. In this video,
Fr. Frank Pavone explores some of the confusion surrounding this tragedy. He
points out that compassion means sharing another's suffering, not eliminating
the other's life. He reminds us that there is no such thing as a worthless life,
and that while there are circumstances in which we can legitimately refuse
treatment, there are never circumstances in which we can deliberately end life.

What are the criteria for deciding whether a medical treatment is morally
obligatory? What is the real meaning of "death with dignity"? Find the answers
to these and many related questions in this show!

Euthanasia - Part 2

Why do organizations exist to promote the right of doctors to kill their
patients, or of patients to kill themselves? Does a desire to escape suffering
justify the killing of a human person?

In this second part of his discussion on euthanasia, Fr. Frank Pavone answers
these questions. He shows how the crucifix answers the challenge of euthanasia.
He explains that we do not have a' right to die," but rather a right to the love
and care which recognize the value of human life even when it is afflicted by
weakness and extreme suffering.

This show also looks at the reasons why living wills should not be used.

Former Abortion Guard and Escort

"We even poured honey on the fence where the pro-lifers talked to the women
and then kicked the fence so the bees would come up."

This and other tactics were used by Mark Bomchill when he worked as an escort
and guard at an abortion mill in Minneapolis. His purpose: block pro-life
information from getting to the women who were coming for abortions. "If the
women changed their mind," Mark explains, "that would mean a loss of business. "

Yet Mark began to tire of the abortion business, and was won over by the
friendship of pro-lifers and by a rally at which Fr. Frank Pavone spoke in
January 1995. Listen to Fr. Frank and Mark discuss Mark's journey from abortion
escort to committed pro-lifer!

I left an Abortion Clinic Waiting Room

This video is a story of victory, a story of how an abortion was prevented on
November 12, 1994. Fr. Frank Pavone interviews Helene Lovera, who went into an
abortion mill in Orlando and, upon looking out the window, saw Fr. Pavone and
others praying outside! "If there are so many people out there praying and
saying (abortion) is wrong, maybe it is," Helene thought. She came out, and was
counseled by Caroline Routson, a sidewalk counselor, and by Fr. Pavone who
baptized the baby several months later.

Hear Helene, Caroline, and Fr. Pavone discuss that momentous day. See the
baby, Guadalupe, who was saved! Learn about the help that is available to those
who courageously choose life!

'Mary Doe' of Doe vs. Bolton

On January 22, 1973, the US Supreme Court issued two decisions on abortion:
Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortion in all 50 states, and Doe vs. Bolton,
which assured its legality through all nine months for any reason.

The "Jane Roe" of Roe vs. Wade is now pro-life. She is Norma McCorvey.

The "Mary Doe" of Doe vs. Bolton was always pro-life. She is Sandra Cano, and
she speaks on this video with Fr. Frank Pavone. She explains that the Doe vs.
Bolton case was based on fraud right from the start: Sandra Cano never believed
in abortion and never wanted one! Hear her tell her story, and declare that
January 22, 1973 was by no means a day of victory for her. Rather, she explains,
she was a victim just like the babies are!

The Gospel of Life

On March 25, 1995, Pope John Paul II issued the encyclical Evangelium
Vitae (The Gospel of Life). This document celebrates the one, unique
Gospel of Christ as the Gospel of Life, for Christ identified Himself as the
Life. He calls us to eternal life, for which this earthly life is a necessary
foundation. Because Christ has joined all humanity to God, a rejection of human
life is a rejection of Christ, and an attack on human life is an attack on God.

This encyclical reaffirms that abortion and euthanasia are always morally
wrong. It further calls us to 'a great campaign on behalf of life." Let this
video introduce you to this great document. Then obtain it and read it!

Contraception

Why is contraception wrong? How do many so-called "contraceptives" actually
cause early abortions?

Find out in this show how the Church's teaching on contraception can be
explained in simple terms. It is a holding back. It says, "I will not give you
my fertility."

Much more true to God's plan is the unity of love and life. That's how it is
in God Himself: He is Love and He is Life. The fascinating truth is that to
understand sex, we need to understand more about God!

Priests for Life SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

The Catholic Vote

Does the Church have political responsibilities? Do the People of God have a
role to play in shaping the laws and governments of the nations in which they
live?

Fr. Frank Pavone begins answering these questions with another question: What
is the relationship between heaven and the events of this world?

He draws heavily on Scripture, on the teaching of the Second Vatican Council,
and on Pope John Paul II's encyclical The Gospel of Life. He explains
that Church teaching involves much more than religious beliefs. It includes the
truths about the human person that are essential to holding society together! He
explains that government and laws in this world are accountable to the laws of
the One who governs the universe! To follow him, furthermore, does not mean
accepting second class citizenship or a distorted notion of the "separation of
Church and State. " It means, rather, an active involvement in the political
process so that the dignity of human life and the common good are preserved!